This is Just a Test by Madelyn Rosenberg and Wendy Wa-Long Shang

2017 Copyright MG

Genre:  Humorous Coming of Age Story

Grade Level: 3^rd - 7th

Reading Level: 4.7 (7 points) 256 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press (June 27, 2017)

My Rating: 4 out of 4

Readability: Easy to read and funny!

MHL Division: Division 1 or Crossover

Summary: 
In 1983, seventh-grader David Da-Wei Horowitz is caught in the middle of cultures, friends, and growing up as a Chinese Jewish American.

I think this book a great contender for our Maud Hart Lovelace list. It is funny and yet touches on issues that middle grade kids face. It also includes diversity. Adults will be particularly entertained by the cultural references to the early 80’s. 

The main character, David is part Chinese and part Jewish. Picture the two TV shows The Goldbergs and Fresh Off the Boat and you get an idea of how this book rolls. There is a clash between two feisty grandmothers from each culture who are also very funny. David deals with friendship, first love, and the scary situation of the Cold War with The Soviet Union and The United States and nuclear war possibilities. Take Away: Growing up in the 80’s is a lot like growing up in many other decades including this one.